Tom Sykes returned to the WSBK paddock this season with a Kawasaki ZX-10R with which he was crowned World Champion in 2013. However, it was with the Ninja of the private team Puccetti who preferred him to Lucas Mahias that this return has been accomplished, with more than disappointing results. So much so that the collaboration, after a new disappointment in Catalonia, is already complete. But the Englishman nevertheless bounced back by joining the official BMW team while Michaël Van der Mark recovered from his fractured femur…
There too, there will be reunions since Sykes was an official pilot BMW from 2019 to 2021. He will find, not very far from him, Loris Baz who is also riding an M1000RR this season within the private Bonovo structure. We know that the relationship between the two men is, so to speak, close to nothing since the epilogue of the 2014 season when they were teammates at Kawasaki, but far from being allies, to the great joy of Sylvain Guintoli and Aprilia for the crown WSBK then in play...
« I am looking forward to temporarily returning to the BMW team » commented Sykes. “ I will work hard to support them as best I can. I have known them since the beginning and participated in the development of the M1000RR, I now have the opportunity to contribute again. I can't wait to get on the bike for the Misano test. At the same time, I wish Mickey the best recovery ».
Tom Sykes will temporarily be Scott Redding's teammate
Marc Bongers, director of BMW Motorrad Motorsport, commented on this choice: “ we think Tom can be a great replacement during the time Michael needs to recover from his injury. We are in constant contact with Michael and he is progressing well. However, no date has been set for his return ».
As for the ZX-10R, now an orphan, the Kawasaki Puccetti Racing Team will later announce the name of the replacement Sykes. Meanwhile, Lucas Mahias will be at the Misano test scheduled for May 11 and 12. The Frenchman has previously raced for the team as a substitute Can Öncü injured in Supersport during the recent weekend in Catalonia.
